Over 1,700 Flights Cancelled Across US Amid FAA Staffing Crisis and Government Shutdown
More than 1,700 flights were cancelled across the United States as a result of severe staffing shortages at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), compounded by the ongoing government shutdown. The disruptions caused widespread travel chaos throughout the country.
Impact on Major Airports
According to CNN, New York City’s three main airports — Newark Liberty International, LaGuardia, and John F. Kennedy International — faced hours-long delays on Saturday as air traffic operations slowed dramatically. FlightAware data showed that over 1,500 flights were cancelled and more than 6,600 delayed that day alone.
FAA Response and Causes
The FAA linked the cascading disruptions to critical staffing shortfalls. Many air traffic controllers and federal security staff missed paychecks during the funding impasse, intensifying the national shortage of qualified personnel.
“The nation’s busiest airports bore the brunt of the impact,” CNN reported, adding that the FAA had to temporarily issue a ground stop for incoming flights to Newark when arrival delays exceeded four hours.
Continuing Disruptions
By Sunday, airlines had already cancelled another 1,000 flights and reported hundreds more delays as the shutdown continued, with no clear resolution in sight.
Author’s Summary: The US air travel system faced major turmoil as the FAA’s staffing crisis, worsened by the government shutdown, led to thousands of cancellations and extensive flight delays nationwide.